Category Archives: Book Tags & Memes

Post navigation

This week’s theme is your favorite books of 2017 and you can put any kind of spin on it that you want but since I have similar posts planned already I’m just going to do some of my favorites I’ve read this year! There will be another post with the rest of the books I enjoyed since it wasn’t ONLY ten so be on the look out for it!

These aren’t in any particular order and I will be linking my reviews if they are available.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

There are only two books on this list that were just so amazing I couldn’t even put together a review to describe how awesome they were, this is one of them.

It’s a very fast paced, suspenseful and thrilling. I was addicted to this story while reading! It combines a sort of classic mystery but also combines it with horror and supernatural elements as well which was fun for me especially since you don’t know what to believe or not. One of the best books I’ve ever read and very unique, I highly recommend checking out too by the way.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

And this is the other book that was just so good and so amazing that I couldn’t form a coherent review for it! Lots of people rant and rave about “The Night Circus” and for good reason too it’s simply a magical wonderful book full of great characters and a great romance. Plus the circus setting was one of the best and most interesting settings I’ve ever had the pleasure of being transported away to via reading.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I’m not usually a big contemporary reader but this book is perfection, seriously. Not only is it incredibly powerful but it’s also extremely well written and full of the most endearing characters. If I was rich enough to buy everyone in the world a copy to read, I would.

THIS BOOK! Why did it take me this long to finally read this treasure? It’s everything I wanted in a book and didn’t even know! There’s fantasy and sci-fi elements both present along with the BEST characters ever, revenge, betrayals, plot twists, and some pretty brutal violence. It’s been a long time since a book has made me feel so many different emotions from sadness to pretty much screaming in outrage. And yet it was great.

This one actually reminded me a lot of “Red Rising” except set in a fantasy world that’s very Roman inspired. There’s fantastic characters, magic, and the world itself is actually very dark and brutal. So many plot twists though I couldn’t stop reading!

While this happens to be a pretty short book it still managed to pack a lot of punch. It’s about a home for children/teens who have returned from other fantastical worlds (very much like Alice in Wonderland or Narnia) and learn to cope with being back in reality. The characters were extremely diverse and learning about all the different worlds they have visited was the most interesting part, I’m really hoping Seanan McGuire writes like fifty of these books.

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Christina Henry’s horror retellings and that’s because they never fail to amaze me. The creativity she puts into them is just awe-inducing. This one happens to be about my favorite fairy tale “Peter Pan” and is told from James Hook’s perspective, it’s definitely not the Neverland we all know and love. It’s a very vicious island full of deadly creatures and beings. If you’re a fan of horror and “Peter Pan” I highly recommend checking it out.

You can read my full review of “Lost Boy” here.

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

This book is just amazing, full of diversity, and FUN. I loved the Comic Con-esque setting and the characters were amazing, I especially related to Taylor who suffers from anxiety I thought the anxiety rep was pretty spot on.

Another genre I don’t read to often, historical fiction, but man was this a treat! It was very fast paced, the writing was fantastic, and the characters were great. If I was going to pick just one word to describe how I feel about this book it’d be: fun!

Probably one of the best YA horror books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading! It’s about a Romani girl who is brutally assaulted and her friend is left at the edge of death, in order to save him she must collect “ingredients” and take revenge on the boys who are responsible. It’s brutal, violent, gory, and full of witchcraft. It’s truly a fantastic book but definitely not for the faint of heart.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

The partridge stood alone in the pear tree. What is your favorite stand alone?

Everything in this book was perfection: the characters, world building, writing, romance, and plot. It’s an amazing book.

ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TWO TURTLE DOVES.

Love is in the air! Who is your one true pairing?

Forever, Aragorn and Arwen! I haven’t read The Lord of the Rings but no bookish romance compares to them for me.

ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: THREE FRENCH HENS.

In the spirit of threes, what is the best trilogy you have read?

The Inkworld Trilogy, those books just got better and better with each book! I also honestly have not finished that many series/trilogies because I’m awful, I’ll start them but rarely ever finish.

ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: FOUR CALLING BIRDS.

Since series usually consist of four or more books, what is your favorite series?

Like I said I really don’t finish that many series so I’ll have to go with Harry Potter.

ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: FIVE GOLDEN RINGS.

One ring to rule them all! Who is your Favorite Villain/Antagonist?

AIDAN! It’s kind of hard to explain why he’s one of my favorites but he really grew on me while I read “Illuminae”. Don’t get me wrong he’s pretty evil but I just loved him.

ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: SIX GEESE A LAYING.

Creation is a beautiful thing. What is your favorite world/world-building?

I’m a huge fan of Jay’s world building in general since it’s fantastic in “Nevernight” as well but the lore and mythology in “Stormdancer” intrigued me just a bit more. It’s Asian-inspired and I am always a sucker for talking animal companions.

ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING.

Who needs seven swans when all it takes is one good animal sidekick? Who’s your favorite animal sidekick?

Well since I was just speaking of animal companions…..

Buruu is hands down my favorite he’s very intelligent and prideful, also he is extremely sassy.

ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: EIGHT MAIDS A MILKING.

Milk is so 18th century. Which book or series takes beverages/food to a whole new level?

One of the best books as far as food descriptions go is definitely “Heartless” since our main character aspires to be a baker she comes up with some scrumptious sounding treats!

ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: NINE LADIES DANCING.

Dancing is just one skill of a Lady! Who is your favorite kickass female lead?

Nemesis is a total badass but she’s also very loving and loyal as well.

ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TEN LORDS A LEAPING.

How about your favorite leading lad?

Darrow is a great main character and since I don’t come across many male main characters that I like he’s definitely one of my faves! He develops a lot and really turns into a badass throughout the first book.

ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: ELEVEN PIPES PIPING.

What is your favorite book or bookish thing with musical influence? (It can be about music, reference music a lot etc.)

The closest book I can think of is “This Savage Song” in which a violin and other instruments come into play frequently.

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: 12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING.

Drum roll please…what is your favorite read of this year?

I read so many great ones this year, I can’t choose! I have to say though the one that really had every element in a book that I enjoy would have to be “Red Rising”. World building, characters, twist, and action!

This was actually a little bit trickier than I thought because there are a lot of book settings that I would probably die in (i.e. Hunger Games and Westeros) but there are also a lot more that are a little friendlier! A lot of these are probably answers you’ll see a lot of on other lists but that’s only because they’re just that awesome.

10.) Mars (Red Rising by Pierce Brown)

Okay so BESIDES the horrible caste system I feel like Mars in this book universe would be a really neat place to visit especially considering it’s very fantasy/dystopia/sci-fi all rolled into one.

9.) The Red Church (Nevernight by Jay Kristoff)

This is probably one of the settings where instead of actually enjoying myself I’d end up being brutally murdered or eaten by library bookworms (you’ll get it if you’ve read the book). However, I still think it’d be a really cool setting to visit you know what with all of the assassin training.

8.) Kerch (Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo)

Because…it’s Six of Crows, guys.

7.) Any of the Doorway Worlds (Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire)

This might be cheating a little bit but there were so many interesting worlds that these characters visited and I’d be okay with entering a doorway to any of them.

6.) Inkworld (Inkheart/Inkspell/Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

After reading the sequel “Inkspell” I absolutely fell in love with the Inkworld and all of the characters that reside there, it’s such a magical place.

5.) Le Cirque des Reves (The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern)

Honestly for anyone who has read this book how could you NOT want to visit the circus? Trust me when I say the descriptions of the displays at the circus were amazing in the book but seeing the real deal would be even better.

4.) Camp Half-Blood (The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan)

Children of Greek gods/goddesses, training, and other mythical creatures? Count me in.

3.) Hotel Valhalla (The Magnus Chase Series by Rick Riordan)

Kind of the same deal as Camp Half-Blood BUT with Norse gods/goddesses and Norse mythological creatures. Still count me in though!

2.) Hogwarts (The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling)

Who else included Hogwarts on their list? Probably a lot of you!

1.) Middle Earth (The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien)

Middle Earth is definitely the #1 book setting I’d love to visit, nothing else is comparable to me. If it ever came down to Middle Earth or Hogwarts I’d pick Middle Earth in a heartbeat, that’s how serious I am.

My planned TBRs always end up becoming such a mess because I get too ambitious or sidetracked and end up not reading the books I planned on reading. That being said I’m still going to try and have a TBR for the winter here and HOPEFULLY I will read at least a few of these. I really am terrible.

Also some of these will be included in an upcoming Book Haul I’m going to be doing I didn’t want to spoil ALL of the books I received and bought! I have a TON of ARCs that I’ll have to be reading here this winter as well but as I said I’m not going to spoil all of them!

These are in no particular order.

10.) Dear Martin by Nic Stone

I JUST got this from the library so I’m going to be reading it right away here, I’m super excited to finally be reading this book! I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about it so I’m expecting to love it.

9.) There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Another library book I’m going to finish here quickly. I’ve heard a lot of mixed things about this book so I decided to just read it myself and see what I think although I’ll go in with lower expectations.

8.) Final Girls by Riley Sager

Once again another horror/thriller that I’ve heard mixed things about and yet again I wanted to read it myself and see what I think of it. I just really love the idea of the “final girl” trope being used in a book!

7.) Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor

I know, I know. I have been adding this to my TBRs FOREVER and I still haven’t read it! Once I battle through all of the ARCs I have to read I WILL READ THIS BOOK! I stare at it every time I pass my bookshelf!

6.) Because You Love To Hate Me

Another book I “had to have right away” and still haven’t read but I really do want to get to it sooner rather than later! It’s a collection of short stories so I feel that it will be a quicker read.

5.) A Torch Against The Night by Sabaa Tahir

After reading the perfection that is “An Ember in the Ashes” I seriously need to get on to reading the sequel! I’m ready to be emotionally wrecked again, bring it on.

4.) City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

I’ve had this book on my TBR for a while but since it released this month I’ve seen TONS of great reviews so I’m even more excited to read it. I love fantasy but a fantasy set in Egypt is right up my alley.

3.) Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking

I’m SUPER excited to be reading this ARC and I’m going to be a part of my first blog tour with it as well so be on the look out for my review this coming month!

2.) A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia A. Cole

Another ARC I’m excited to read here soon, it’s a YA sci-fi and it has one gorgeous cover.

1.) The Fire Queen by Emily R. King

I received an ARC of the first book in this trilogy and actually really enjoyed it! I also recently received an ARC of the last book in the trilogy as well and have a copy of the sequel on its way so I will be reading both of these here this winter but especially the second book.

Since U.S. Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday this week’s theme is books/bookish things we are thankful for! There are plenty of books out there that I’m thankful for but these are a few that just really stick out for me!

I will link reviews for each title if I have one and these are in no particular order!

10.) Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

This was the first book I read by Jay Kristoff and I am thankful for it because I found him and he’s now one of my favorite authors! He’ writes very beautifully but also NEVER fails to throw in a ridiculous amount of shocking twists and turns, and he also knows how to write a badass female protagonist! “Stormdancer” has great world building, a badass heroine, a talking animal companion, and an intense/action packed plot. What more can I ask for?

I’m thankful for “The Diabolic” because it’s a book that really got me interested in reading more YA sci-fi, which I was always interested in but now it’s a favorite genre of mine! This book also had tons of action, another badass heroine, political intrigue, and a romance I could actually ship!

This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read before and I highly doubt there’s anything even close to it out there in the book world either. It’s got morally gray characters with super human powers along with an “edge of your seat” plot line, I need the sequel desperately. Schwab’s writing is absolutely fantastic and I will pretty much read anything and everything she writes. I’m thankful for her because she puts out so much unique and creative content!

It’s a perfect blend of horror and mystery and thriller, seriously this book was like winning the jackpot for me. There was plenty of suspense and I just adored it to bits and pieces, I am really hoping Pessl will release something just as good soon!

6.) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I don’t think I need to explain why I’m thankful for this gem, this is such a powerful and beautifully written book and I think it deserves to be read by everyone.

I’m thankful I finally read this amazing book! It’s such an awesome blend of some of my favorite genres such as fantasy and sci-fi, but it’s also full of great characters (that I became overly attached to) and shocking plot twists. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!

This is a brutal book full of some great world building and even greater characters, there are some magical elements as well. This BOOK kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and it’s just great, I need to read the sequel!

I honestly don’t know how to describe how great this book but it’s about children who came back from other worlds (similar to the Chronicles of Narnia) via different doorways and learn to cope at a home with other children. After reading books such as the Chronicles of Narnia or Harry Potter as a child I found this book extremely relatable and very magical as well.

I’m very thankful for this beautiful book right here not only because it’s incredibly diverse and has a TON of pop culture/geeky references but because the anxiety rep was so spot on. I thought it was so great to see a main character with anxiety being represented so well, since it’s something I suffer from as well and it was just very relatable.

I figured I’d get a little bit ahead of the game and do my Thanksgiving Book Tag a couple days early! This tag was created by Erin & Becca and I found the tag over on Mama Kat’s Losin’ It.

(I also have reviews up for all of the books mentioned)

1. Bread- What book is purely fluff, and has no real plot line?

As much as I adored and worshiped “Queens of Geek” it really is the kind of book that’s all fluff and no plot, the plot is some friends going to a convention but mostly the book focuses on the characters themselves and romances. I loved it though, this book is seriously amazing.

2. Turkey- What book made you want to fall asleep?

So, so, so boring/ I’m sorry but when you market a book as an origin tale for Blackbeard I expect some action and PIRACY! Not a hist-fic romance full of tropes and a love interest that is borderline abusive. No. This was so slow that you’re dang right I would have rather been sleeping.

3. Gravy- What book makes the whole series worth reading?

This series is worth reading all the way through…well at least up until the latest issue since it’s not finished yet! Everything is well done from the world building to the characters and the art is seriously gorgeous!

4. Stuffing- What book is stuffed full of action scenes?

Once you get past the first couple of chapters that set up the story it’s non stop action from there! Tons of plot twists, seriously, tons. This book will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time you’re reading it!

5. Mashed Potatoes- What book looked good, and then wasn’t?

This cover is insanely gorgeous but the book was just really slow and confusing as hell. I still don’t really know what the whole point of the book was or what even happened.

6. Cranberries- What book has the sweetest romance?

There’s actually a couple romances that I like but I would have to say Aladdin and Zahra are one of my absolute favorites. Their romance was slow burn and forbidden which are two big things I look for in bookish romances. They are so adorable, also the rest of the book is fantastic as well!

7. Corn- What’s the corniest book you’ve ever read?

I don’t tend to go for books that can end up being corny, but I suppose one I kind of consider corny is “Paper Princess” since it really isn’t a story I take seriously. It’s one of those stories I read for the entertainment and shock value.

8. Green beans- What book is too long and needs to be shortened?

Seriously! Why was this book 488 pages?! Why?! It has no business being that long! It’s a slow, hist-fic romance with a very boring mystery that’s hardly a mystery. So yeah it really doesn’t need to be 488 pages of a little plot and a lot of filler.

9. Pumpkin Pie- What book do you read to get out of a reading slump?

I don’t really re-read books ever so I don’t have a “go-to” book for reading slumps but I usually try and read something I know I’ll love. However, if I was going to re-read something it’d probably be a graphic novel such as “Nimona”.

10. Dog/Cat- What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food that you would steal from the table?

Stuffing, definitely stuffing. I could sit and eat nothing but stuffing and be perfectly fine. I also adore cranberries too though…just saying.

Tag! You’re It!

I tag anyone who wants to give this Thanksgiving Book Tag a go! Just be sure to tag the creators and where you saw the tag (here)!

And Happy Thanksgiving!

(Here are the questions for your copy and pasting convenience!)

1. Bread- What book is purely fluff, and has no real plot line?
2. Turkey- What book made you want to fall asleep?
3. Gravy- What book makes the whole series worth reading?
4. Stuffing- What book is stuffed full of action scenes?
5. Mashed Potatoes- What book looked good, and then wasn’t?
6. Cranberries- What book has the sweetest romance?
7. Corn- What’s the corniest book you’ve ever read?
8. Green beans- What book is too long and needs to be shortened?
9. Pumpkin Pie- What book do you read to get out of a reading slump?
10. Dog/Cat- What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food that you would steal from the table?

It was kind of hard for me to come up with a Halloween theme for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday because I’ve already done so many Halloween themed posts! So I decided to just go with some horror books that are still on my TBR but I can’t wait to read them!

The sequel to the amazing “Anna Dressed in Blood” so of course I need to read it! Hopefully it’s as good as the first one, I wasn’t expecting “Anna” to be as gory and scary as it was!

9.) The Suffering (The Girl from the Well #2) by Rin Chupeco

I was terrified by the first book and since I’m a sucker for scaring myself I want to read the sequel!

8.) The Diviners by Libba Bray

This might just be more of a paranormal/supernatural book and not horror but I’m including it anyways. I read the first chapter and it was pretty creepy so I’m excited to get into this series!

7.) Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

This is a book I picked up and read a quarter through and set back down. It was definitely creepy though and I do plan on picking it back up. It’s basically about a haunted suit and the ghost of the old man is haunting the main character now. Like I said it’s super creepy.

6.) It by Stephen King

I don’t think this one needs an explanation.

5.) The Child Thief by Brom

Peter Pan is my favorite fairy tale and so I’m ALL for any retelling of it but especially a dark, horror retelling.

4.) Bird Box by Josh Malerman

A short, slow horror style book but I want to give it a go. Especially since it’s really short….because I’m lazy.

3.) The Ravenous by Amy Lukavics

I’m not too sure about this book anymore since it hasn’t been getting the best of reviews but I really enjoy Lukavics’ books so I’d like to at least try it.

2.) Say Her Name by James Dawson

I’m always pretty creeped out by Blood Mary stories so I’m ready to be scared with this one.

1.) Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda

I’m currently reading Alameda’s other novel “Shutter” and really enjoying it PLUS this one sounds very similar to the Alien movie franchise and I’m here for it.